Obituary: Earl J. Kerker, 89

Earl J. Kerker, 89, of East Dubuque, Ill., died Feb. 12, 2013, at The Finley Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 23, 1923, in Nebraska City to Earl and Lucia (Boom) Kerker.

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Nebraska City News-Press - Nebraska City, NE

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Posted Feb. 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Updated Feb 14, 2013 at 2:02 PM

Posted Feb. 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Updated Feb 14, 2013 at 2:02 PM

East Dubuque, Ill.

Earl J. Kerker, 89, of East Dubuque, Ill., died Feb. 12, 2013, at The Finley Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 23, 1923, in Nebraska City to Earl and Lucia (Boom) Kerker.

Earl worked one year at Thygeson’s Drug Store in Nebraska City after graduating from Nebraska City High School to earn enough money to go to college. He attended Peru State Teachers’ College for one semester before entering the U.S. Army. While in the Army, he also attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and Biarritz (France) American University. After his military service, he entered the University of Nebraska and earned a bachelor of science degree in agronomy with emphasis on conservation.

He was in the Army of Occupation in Germany following World War II. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal; American Defense, European, African, Middle East; World War II Army of Occupation; Good Conduct; and World War II Victory Medals.

Earl married Lynn Clover in Hiawatha, Kan., on Nov. 23, 1946.

In April, 1949, Earl started working for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as a soil scientist in Maquoketa, Iowa. He later became a soil conservationist and worked in Waukon and West Union before being assigned as district conservationist in Dubuque, where he retired after 32 years of federal service.

Earl enjoyed his family, travel, fishing, bridge, and fine woodworking. He was active in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Dubuque, and served on many committees there. Earl enjoyed working with the youth of the church and accompanied them on mission work.

He was a Past Worshipful Master of Metropolitan Masonic Lodge # 49, AF&AM, a life member of both American Legion and Veterans’ of Foreign Wars.